BANDS:

Punk & Ska
80's New Wave/
Post-Punk/
College Bands
90's & Beyond
Virginia, North
Carolina, & DC

David Simpkins: Long Story Short
[self-released]

Imagine Neil Young with all the edge of Bruce Hornsby and you start to get an idea of what David Simpkins brings to the table.  Here on his debut solo album, Simpkins presents an enjoyable albeit underwritten collection of singer-songwriter tunes that teeter between stirring and trite. 

Theres no question Simpkins has a knack for writing driving melodies, and his delivery may be shaky (hence the Young comparison), but its affecting, and with the right line can cut to the bone.  Despite a weak production (hence the Hornsby comparison), his glaring weakness is an inability to avoid lyrical clichs.  Songs like The Consumer, Take Me Down, Half a Dozen Lies and Something New all feature tired and lazy lines about old men who dont dream anymore, young men livin for the money, shortsighted radio programmers and rich men ridin in limos.  Thats not very interesting (I dont see characters, but rather cardboard cut-outs).  Its not what the songs are about, but how theyre about them, and these deserve a fresher perspective.  To be fair, these titles contain their share of good lines: In the back of this old wagon, headed into town/Cant see where Im going, only where Ive been  What a great way to start an album, but theyre few and far between.

Then again, thats not always the case.  From Baltimore is positively lovely, with its delicate allusions to rain-swept highways and distant city lights and delicious pedal steel work.  A bare bones lament on lost love, the song is reminiscent of the equally simplistic Walkin Back to Georgia by Jim Croce and captures a man in the throes of indecision.  Then theres the equally affecting Positively Polk Street, a well-observed rocker about love gone cold that has that above-mentioned fresh perspective these songs so rightfully deserve.  These songs represent Simpkins potential and if hes inclined to agree, then future releases should yield better results.

This album can be purchased at CD Baby

David Simpkins Official Website

More Album Reviews

About LOTD        Contact/Staff        Advertise        Home

All content  © LEFT OFF THE DIAL 2001-2005. All rights reserved.